Sunderland took another massive step toward avoiding relegation from the Premier League on Saturday, as the Black Cats beat winless Wolves 2-0 at the Stadium of Light.
WATCH — Sunderland vs Wolves full match replay
That’s 14 points from eight games for Regis Le Bris’ side, already more than halfway to the points tally required to stay up last season (26). Sunderland are 7th in the table, five place places and five points above rivals Newcastle. The first Tyne-Wear derby is now less than two months away, on Dec. 14, at the Stadium of Light.
Nordi Mukiele finished a fantastic team move and opened the scoring in the 16th minute, somehow fitting the ball between Sam Johnstone’s legs to make it 1-0. Wolves were still in it until late on and Vitor Pereira’s side had a go at it (13 shots in the second half) but couldn’t muster much of real consequence (0.68 xG) before Ladislav Krejci’s own goal put the game to bed in the 92nd minute.
Wolves have just two points on the season, with a goal difference of -11.
What’s next?
- Chelsea vs Sunderland — Saturday, 10 am ET
- Wolves vs Burnley — Sunday, 10 am ET
Sunderland vs Wolves live updates - by Andy Edwards
Sunderland vs Wolves final score: 2-0
Goalscorers: Mordi Mukiele (17'), Ladislav Krejci (90'+1 - OG)
GOAL! Sunderland 2-0 Wolves: Krejci’s own goal puts the game to bed (90'+1)
GOAL! Sunderland 1-0 Wolves: Mukiele’s shot finds its way between Johnstone’s legs (17')
Sunderland starting lineup
Roefs - Hume, Ballard, Alderete, Mukiele - Xhaka, Sadiki, Rigg - Traore, Le Fee, Isidor
Wolves starting lineup
Johnstone - Doherty, S. Bueno, Krejci, H. Bueno - Andre, J. Gomes, Munetsi - Arias, R. Gomes, Strand Larsen
How to watch Sunderland vs Wolves live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10 am ET, Saturday
Venue: Stadium of Light — Sunderland
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
Sunderland (9th, 11 points) had their four-game unbeaten run snapped by Manchester United before the international break, and suddenly goals are harder to come by for the Black Cats. After putting three past West Ham on opening day and scoring two late goals to beat Brentford in week 3, Sunderland have scored just twice in their last four games.
Speaking goals being hard to come by, Wolves (20th, 2 points) have scored just five times and no player has scored more than one goal thus far. It comes as no surprise that Matheus Cunha’s departure has left Vitor Pereira’s side woefully short on attacking quality, but no one has scored fewer goals than Wolves and only Burnley and Brentford average fewer shot attempts (9.4).
Sunderland team news, focus
OUT: Habib Diarra (groin), Aji Alese (shoulder), Reinildo (suspension), Romaine Mundle (thigh), Leo Fuhr Hjelde (achilles), Dennis Cirkin (wrist) | QUESTIONABLE: Omar Alderete (thigh), Noah Sadiki (ankle)
Wolves team news, focus
OUT: Toti Gomes (illness), Jorge Strand Larsen (unspecified), Matt Doherty (wrist), Leon Chiwone (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (illness), Hee-chan Hwang (unspecified)
Sunderland vs Wolves prediction
A defensive stalemate until late, and the home crowd pushes them over the line. Sunderland 1-0 Wolves.
